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Toronto quarterback Damon Allen goes down for the count and the Argonauts drop into a deep, dark funk.

But the moment the veteran pivot returns to action, new life is breathed into the CFL squad and it suddenly starts winning again.

The Blue Bombers are hoping to experience deja vu all over again in Winnipeg -- starting in Regina this weekend.

Like Allen, both quarterback Kevin Glenn and veteran slotback Milt Stegall should give the Bombers a much-needed boost when they return from a three-game, injury-induced absence to lead Winnipeg against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Sunday's 40th annual Labour Day Classic.

WINDOW-DRESSING

"It's going to be monumental," Bomber kicker Troy Westwood said yesterday. "Basically, everything is window-dressing in this league wrapped outside of your starting quarterback and to get Kevin back is huge; he's obviously experienced. Milt is the spiritual leader of this team and he's the greatest receiver to ever play this game. So, if you get those two guys back, it changes the entire complexion of our team."

That complexion was certainly zit-filled without them as Winnipeg lost three straight matches.

"Kevin's the leader of the team," said veteran cornerback Omar Evans. "Just him coming back with that experience is going to be big. Milt Stegall and Kevin Glenn, you can't beat that experience and they've played in many Labour Day games. So, having those two guys back as the leaders will open up a lot of different things for everybody on the offensive side of the ball."

Before they got hurt, the Bombers had been rolling along at 5-2 and were preparing for a run at first place in the East. But they have now dropped into a second-place tie with Toronto at 5-5.

Even Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett is wary of both.

"We've played against both guys and we know they are difference-makers," he told the Regina Leader-Post. "We have to be prepared to play against both of them."

Glenn, however, downplayed comparisons to Allen's situation.

"It may bring a lift to the team but I just look at it as me trying to get back on the field to put my team in position to win," said Glenn, who has completed 123 of 211 passes for 1,865 yards and nine touchdowns, with six interceptions this season. "I don't think one guy's bigger than the team."

Although Glenn has recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Aug. 10, he will have to wear a knee brace.

"(The knee) is feeling good," Glenn said after practising with the brace all this week. "(The brace) is not bothering me at all. It's just like another piece of equipment. It's like putting on a pair of new shoes and working them in."

However, there is even a possibility that he will have to wear it for the rest of his career.

"We'll have to see about that one because it prevents injuries like that from happening," Glenn said. "So, we'll see how I like it as far as wearing it the rest of my career or the rest of the season."

Sunday's match will be the first of back-to-back games against the Roughies. Saskatchewan beat the Bombers all three times they met last season.

"They swept us last year so, we'll try to get them this year," Glenn said.